ACTE Hosts Career Tech Celebration at Mount Vernon High School

News provided by

ACTE

Apr 24, 2014, 16:55 ET

Alexandria, VA (PRWEB) April 24, 2014 -- Staff from the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) organized a tour of Mount Vernon High School on Wednesday, April 23, to showcase a local example of a promising career and technical education (CTE) program while underscoring the importance of CTE in preparing a robust workforce for 21st century jobs.

Representatives from the U.S. Department of Education and the offices of Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) and Governor Terry McAuliffe (D-VA) attended the event, which showcased the achievements of Mount Vernon High School’s CTE programs. Attendees had the opportunity to learn firsthand and ask questions about how CTE courses are preparing students for fulfilling careers in valued, in-demand fields. In addition, attendees learned about the school’s affiliation with the International Baccalaureate® Career-related Certificate program, which bolsters students’ already rigorous CTE coursework with robust academic curriculum from an internationally recognized organization.

“It was inspiring to see the students and teachers in their learning environment, not just talking about the importance of career and technical education, but showing us by doing,” said Michael Connet, ACTE Senior Director of Programming and Communications. “It’s through this in-person interaction that it truly hits home how important our work is and motivates me to do as much as I can to support this community.”

During the event, attendees heard opening remarks from Nardos King, principal of Mount Vernon High School, as well from as many of the school’s students enrolled in CTE classes. The students communicated the many ways that their courses provide them with career exploration opportunities, leadership capabilities and organizational skills that they apply in their academic coursework. Many of the students expressed interest in continuing to use the lessons they learned in their CTE courses after graduation in continuing education, careers, and military service.

Career and technical education provides students with significant advantages in academic and career preparation, and strengthens our nation’s economy by filling the skills gap. Data shows students who participate in CTE courses are more likely to graduate high school and meet college and career readiness goals. ACTE works closely with leaders in business, public policy, and industry to ensure programs are training students in the skills that employers need most.

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The Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE) is the nation’s largest not-for-profit association committed to the advancement of education that prepares youth and adults for successful careers. ACTE represents the community of CTE professionals, including educators, administrators, researchers, guidance counselors and others at all levels of education. ACTE is committed to excellence in providing advocacy, public awareness and access to resources, professional development and leadership opportunities. For more information, please visit our website: http://www.acteonline.org.

For more information about the International Baccalaureate program, please contact Robin Khan, Communications and Marketing Manager, at Robin.Khan(at)ibo(dot)org or 301-202-3172.

Sean Lynch, ACTE, http://www.acteonline.org, +1 (703) 683-9312, [email protected]